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Showing results for hostage. Search instead for hostat.
Definitions

hostage

[hos-tij] / ˈhɒs tɪdʒ /
NOUN
person held captive until captor's demand is met
Synonyms
Antonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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The idea is to avoid being held hostage by a major market correction or, worse, a recession by being forced to withdraw money during a down market.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 28, 2026

This one is very real: a kind of Vision 2.0, rebuilt by the intelligence agency tasked with saving the New Jersey town Wanda took hostage to shore up her classic family sitcom simulation.

From Salon ● Oct. 23, 2026

It helps you draw boundaries without being held hostage to accusations of selfishness.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026

The last living hostages from Nir Oz were returned to Israel on 13 October 2025 and the remains of the last deceased hostage, Amiram Cooper, were brought back two weeks later.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

“My lawyer disagrees. If the money is in your name, it can’t be held hostage by a financial institution or anyone else, including Laura Friendly. We’re going to the bank now.”

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty

The group were members of Run for Their Lives in Colorado, which met weekly to support the release of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during the 7 October attacks.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026

Relatives of hostages formerly held by Hamas have also been caught in the crosshairs.

From Barron's ● Oct. 24, 2026

The commission reviewed more than 10,000 photographs and video segments and collected more than 430 testimonies and interviews with survivors, witnesses, former hostages, experts and family members.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

This anniversary of the attacks is the first with no hostages remaining in Gaza.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

When nine-and-ninety hostages had shuffled by them to pass beneath the Wall, Tormund Giantsbane produced the last one.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

On the other hand, John Donvan conceded that there is a limit to living in the past—to hostaging yourself, for instance, to outdated agreements and other generations’ crimes.

From Slate ● Jan. 11, 2012

In their minds, hostaging means trading -- and trading means talking.

From Time Magazine Archive

Q. Have you expressed that view of hostaging to President Bush?

From Time Magazine Archive


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